Touring - cycling, 1955 style

think some of you might enjoy this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyz5d3entBw&mode=related&search= (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyz5d3entBw&mode=related&search=)

That's a great set of videos. I love seeing the English bikes decked out with Brooks saddles and matching bags. Its how bikes should look.

thanks for posting it

Man...this guy has some great stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGYngjxJP1I

think some of you might enjoy this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyz5d3entBw&mode=related&search= (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyz5d3entBw&mode=related&search=)

Absolutely awesome. I've been toying with the idea of organizing some day tours which jump off from the MARTA rail stops here in Atlanta (one of the best organized centuries here in Atlanta begins from near one of the south MARTA stops). This clip gives me all sorts of ideas on how to pull it off.

Wow, any bike museum would be lucky to have these!

Awesome!!

That rocks and not a pair of bibs or spandex to be seen

OMG, they're not wearing helmets ! They're all going to die !

well actually i'm a racer, and ONLY wear bibs and spandex when i ride! but it's all about the sport, right?

as the narrator says, "...[these cyclists] who rediscover their common humanity in finding countryside, exercise and companionship all in one"... great stuff.

Best cycling videos I've seen on Youtube, and among the best cycling movies I've ever seen. This is golden age stuff here- cycling in its purest club form.

Gentlemen (and Gentlewomen),
I present you with the ABCE Tour (http://abcetour.com/) there is also an associated tour through the countryside near Lake Pepin (http://www.3speedtour.com/). I think more of these need to be organized across the country!

Aaron:)

What, are you guys crazy going on about this clip? Don't you see how unhappy that lot look? Poor devils, not having colour tvs, ipods, cell phones or nice cars -makes you wonder how they could ever have a good time. And what the heck were they doing for food? I didn't see a Mickey D's or Burger King in sight -they do look undernourished. Also, the poor saps had to sit outside at a quaint English pub drinking dark beer (did you see how that fellow had to force it down? Yes, he was having a terrible time, it was probably forced on him).

What's weird about those clips is how little has changed in terms of enjoyment, even if other things have. I also couldn't help but think the youngest of them is probably about 70 now!

70, and still riding i hope!

Yea, theres nothing like a post ride smoke and a beer.

And now for something completely different...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Wre5zO4Ek

(my apologies for re-posting this)

70, and still riding i hope!

A bit older than that I think. 1955 was nearly the end of what is known as the "Golden Era" of cycling in the UK. Following the war there were few cars on the road and not too much money about. It was the time when cycling clubs flourished and each small town had its own cycling club. Young people flocked to the countryside and Youth Hostels were always crowded with walkers and cyclists.

English tourers tended to use cafes and pubs, but here in Scotland it was the custom to take the raw ingredients of your meal with you and cook and brew-up at the side of the road. My older friends talk of finishing work on a Friday evening and immediately cycling off to some Youth Hostel in the Highlands. On the way back on a Sunday evening in the twilight, a whole field would be dotted with campfires, as cyclists greeted each other and met to share a cup of tea before heading for home and work the next morning.

Many a couple met and married through cycling together in a club but all of this was to change with the increase of traffic on the road and increased affluence.

I think it is intersting that one of these films (perhaps all I'm on 56K so I don't know), was sponsored by British Rail. While I have been well treated by the rail up here, the main contribution they have made to cycling in recent years has been (for better or worse) to pull up the tracks and make bike paths. We are generally a long way from getting anything like the welcome on rail or other mass transit that cars get, and they certainly aren't likely to be promoting cycling.

I think it is intersting that one of these films (perhaps all I'm on 56K so I don't know), was sponsored by British Rail. While I have been well treated by the rail up here, the main contribution they have made to cycling in recent years has been (for better or worse) to pull up the tracks and make bike paths. We are generally a long way from getting anything like the welcome on rail or other mass transit that cars get, and they certainly aren't likely to be promoting cycling.

I watched the film, and shared your sentiments. I was going to post something, but you got there before me, well done old chap.

A bit older than that I think. 1955 was nearly the end of what is known as the "Golden Era" of cycling in the UK. Following the war there were few cars on the road and not too much money about. It was the time when cycling clubs flourished and each small town had its own cycling club. Young people flocked to the countryside and Youth Hostels were always crowded with walkers and cyclists.

...but all of this was to change with the increase of traffic on the road and increased affluence.

Still plenty of nearly-carless roads here in Oxfordshire. And I can off-hand think of six cycling clubs in the southern portion of the county, not including triathlon clubs and variants of the same club.

Still plenty of nearly-carless roads here in Oxfordshire. And I can off-hand think of six cycling clubs in the southern portion of the county, not including triathlon clubs and variants of the same club.

How far is that from Leeds University;) (loong haul by bicycle...)

Aaron:)